Insulated backpack

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a backpack having enclosed compartments suitable for storing and transporting articles requiring thermally insulated and waterproof protection. The backpack is comprised of two-sections, one of which is a thermally insulated compartment for carrying articles that need to be kept cold or warm. The structure of the apparatus is flexible and formed from a combination of composite material sandwiched between an inner and an outer flexible material. Shoulder or carrying straps and a waist strap are integrally connected to the housing so as to adapt to the wearers shoulders and waist.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a backpack and moreparticularly is concerned with an article which can be carried on theback in the manner of a napsack for transporting goods. In recent years,there has been a substantial increase in sporting activitiesparticularly camping and hiking. Furthermore, there has been an increasein the numbers of persons who prefer to carry objects in a napsack orbackpack rather than in a brief case or other forms of luggage.Individuals engaged in hiking, camping, fishing and other sports,necessitating the carrying of small objects, frequently require abackpack that will also be adaptable to items that need to be thermallyprotected and protected from the elements.

II. Description of the Prior Art

One article which has been used to meet the needs of sportsmen,particularly hikers, is described and illustrated in U.S. Pat. No.2,456,253, G. E. Bushey. The Bushey patent discloses a carrier packwherein a unitary compartment in the shape of a rectangular box hasmounted on it straps which allow the user to carry various articles. Inanother backpack, U.S. Pat. No.3,144,014, C. Mantell, Jr., discloses thebasic Bushey box arrangement, but in addition incorporates a recessedextension where a sleeping bag or tent can be rolled up and inserted.U.S. Pat. No. 3,902,640, issued to Geiben, relates to a two-section,semi-rigid hikers backpack having a lower section comprising astructurally reinforced, molded open basket, to which shoulder and waiststraps are adjustably attached. Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,318,502, issuedto Greg E. Lowe, et al, discloses a backpack having an enclosed volumefor storing and transporting materials. This particular backpack alsoincludes a horizontal extension adjusting bar for distributing theweight of the backpack more evenly. It also has other adjustable legstraps with connectors, and adjusting means, to adjust the center ofgravity of the weight of the backpack.

While each of these articles, or variations of them, have been usedextensively for backpacking, each have serious drawbacks. With theexception of the Geiben patent, none earlier than this one disclosed atwo-section backpack. That is, one that is divided in some mannerbetween an upper and lower part. However, the Geiben patent is distinctfrom this invention, in that the Geiben patent uses a two-section,semi-rigid material, comprised of a structurally reinforced and moldedopen basket. None of these patents address the issue of an insulatedbottom compartment. Each is relatively limited in so far as the accessto either compartment is concerned, and cannot be easily converted to adaypack or bookpack, for people who merely want to use it as one woulduse a brief case or large pocketbook. Consequently a need exists forimprovements in backpacking equipment which will result in greaterflexibility for both sporting and general use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a dual compartment backpack designed tosatisfy the aforementioned needs. This invention discloses a backpackhaving a plurality of compartments which includes at least onecompartment that it thermally insulated for carrying either warm or coldarticles within a lower end portion of the backpack. There is at leastone other compartment which in the preferred embodiment is an uppercompartment as well which is not insulated. This backpack utilizes ahousing formed from a combination of semi-flexible, composite,insulated, and waterproof material, as the means to insulate the lowersection. The composite material is located between layers of the semiflexible material in an area surrounding the thermally insulatedcompartments. The inventors herein have chosen certain insulatedmaterials which have insulation properties or R-values which will keeparticles cold and at the same time will keep the coldness of thearticles from reaching the back of the user. In addition, there aredoors or access panels which allow the user access to the upper andlower internal compartments.

The backpack containing two compartments (including a thermallyinsulated compartment) is comprised of a housing which is shaped to fitaround a perimeter of the opening. There are means for supporting thecompartments within the housing which is adapted to the housing so as tosurround an access opening located at a rear side of the housing forallowing access to the compartments. There is furthermore a receivingchannel which defines the perimeter of the openings.

Each of the compartments (the lower and upper compartments) are dividedby a thermally insulated barrier which can be removed by sealable means,but which seals in place and separates each of the compartments when thethermal compartment is in use. The dividing member between the upper andlower compartments is comprised of a shelf which is pivotably supportedon the housing and can be moved in an upright position when the upperand lower compartments are made into one single larger compartment. Asealable means such as a zipper or similar device is attached to thepivotably supported member, so that when it is in use it can be closedup. Carrying straps are integrally attached to the semi-rigid housingand are adjustable thereon to fit comfortably over the wearer'sshoulder. When the backback is not in use, it can be compactly folded uparound the insulated and firmer lower section. The backpack is worn by auser who inserts his arm or arms and shoulders between either one or twostraps depending on which embodiment is preferred and then ties a thirdsupporting strap about his waist.

Finally, there are pouches integrally attached and located outside ofthe main housing which are used to receive various articles in azippered, sealed compartment, that lies in substantial alignment withthe side panel. There is also a stop attached to the panel and thehousing for permitting the panel to open at an angle of approximately 45degrees to allow acccess to the compartments.

Each of the flags which allow access to each of the upper and lowercompartments also have document pouches. These document pouches are anintegral part of the flaps and are also zippered. Each is used forcarrying articles such as papers or other small items.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to an article for receivingand carrying objects and when not in use can be compactly folded up.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the back pack forming one embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view showing the dividing means in theopen and upright position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there isan isometrical view of the backpacking article. There is a plurality ofcompartments shown as references 3 and 5. There is a thermally insulatedcompartment 3 for carrying cold articles within a lower end of thebackpack, and at least one other upper compartment 5, located above thethermally insulated compartment 3. There is a housing 7 formed of acombination of semi-flexible and composite, insulated, and waterproofmaterial. The composite material 9 being located between layers of thesemi-flexible material 11. There is also an area 8 surrounding thethermally insulated compartment for preventing thermal conductivity ofcold objects from reaching the wearer of the backpack, while maintainingthe desired lower temperature of the articles inside. There are shown inFIG. 1 carrying straps, 13 and 14, that are integrally attached to thehousing 7 for adjustably adapting the backpack to the wearer. Thecompartments 3 and 5 are supported within the housing which is adaptedso as to surround an access opening located at the rear side of thehousing for permitting access to the insulated compartment. The uppercompartment is accessed through a sealable panel 16, that are pivotablyattached to the rear side of the housing at the bottom end 18. The lowercompartment is accessed through a sealable panel 22 which is pivotablyattached to the rear side of the housing at the bottom end 24.

There is a dividing means 21 between the thermally insulated compartment3 and the upper compartment 5. The dividing means 21 is accessiblethrough the opening of the upper compartment 5 and can be removed so asto make one single large compartment. The removal is generallyaccomplished through a sealable means such as a zipper 19 which thenrequires that the dividing portion be moved in an upright positionagainst the back wall of the housing 7. The access openings panels 16and 22 are fastened in a closed position to the upper and lowercompartment respectively using a fastening material like hook and loop28. The velcro-like material is convered over by flaps 32 and 34. Inaddition, each of the access openings 16 and 22 have attached integrallyto them a pouch 25 and 26 respectively. These pouches are locatedoutside of the composite material for receiving articles in a zipperedsealed compartment which lies in substantial alignment with the accessopening for panel 16 and 22 respectively. The zipper 27 seals the uppercompartment pouch 25 and zipper 35 seals the lower compartment pouch 26.There are also stops 29 and 37 which limit the opening of the panel 16and 22 respectively, so that, the panel will not open to an anglegreater than approximately 45 degrees allowing ample access to the upperand lower compartments.

While this invention has been described in conjuction with specificembodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives,modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in theart. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all suchalternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the spiritand scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A backpack having a plurality of compartments including a thermally insulated for carrying cold articles within a lower end portion of said backpack, which has at least one other compartment located above said thermally insulated compartment, said backpack further comprising;A. A housing, formed of a combination of semi-flexible, waterproof material and composite, insulating material, said composite material bbeing located between layers of said semi-flexible material to define a first wall structure, said housing also formed by said semi-flexible material to define a second wall structure, said thermally insulated compartment being defined by said first wall structure, for preventing thermal conductivity of said cold articles from reaching a wearer of said backpack, while maintaining a desired lower temperature of said articles, said at least one other compartment being defined by said second wall structure; B. Carrying straps which are integrally attached to the front side of said housing, for adjustably adapting said backpack to said wearer; C. A first access opening located at the rear side of said housing, leading into said other compartment, a second access opening, located at the rear side of said housing and leading into said insulated compartment, a sealable panel within said housing and defined by said first wall structure, one edge of said panel being pivotably attached to the rear side of said housing, the remaining edges of said panel being removably attached to the remaining wall structure of said housing so as to be in a horizontal position between said compartments; D. Said sealable panel dividing said thermally insulated compartment and said other compartment whereby each compartment is accessible through its respective first and second access openings and both compartments are accessible through the first opening so as a large single compartment is obtained when said panel is detached from said housing and positioned in an upright position.
 2. A backpack according to claim 1, wherein said sealable panel is removably attached to said housing by a zipper which is attached to said housing and said panel in a substantially fixed position when said compartments are utilized as said insulated compartment and said other compartment.
 3. A backpack according to claim 1, and further including a pair of pouches, each pouch being located on the rear side of said housing on each of said respective compartments, for receiving articles therein, a zipper on each pouch for sealing said pouches. 